Billy Zoom and Exene Cervenka in a classic shot from Xtheband.com

Several thoughts after a rousing, punk-for-baby-boomers performance by X Thursday at the Cabooze:

* They were Los Angeles' greatest punk band but musically the quartet was -- and is -- more diverse and complex than the genre implies.

* Thirty-some years later, X doesn't seem dangerous but they were head-shakingly exhilarating.

* Guitarist Billy Zoom, 63, is the coolest dude in the room. With his distinctive spread-leg stance, blond pompadour and no-sweat nonchalance, he served up riff rock, surf punk, speed-metal, blues-rock, punkabilly, bluesabilly and twangabilly on his Silver Jet guitar. He can play fast and stylish at the same time.

* Twenty-six years after their divorce, singers John Doe and Exene Cervenka, 57 and 55, respectively, still have an undeniable chemistry and a commitment to political and social issues.

* Even though the repertoire was heavy on songs from the 1980s, these musicians don't carry on like their 20-something selves. They've allowed themselves to grow up and accommodate some of their musical evolution (save for drummer DJ Bonebrake, who eschews his jazz chops) while maintaining the spirit of the music.

* "Los Angeles," their classic 1980 debut, still holds up; X played the album in its entirety to start the nearly 90-minute set.

* This performance convinced me that X, without a doubt, belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.